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How does your brain control your body?
Human Machine Unit | Lesson 4 of 4
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How does your brain control your body?

Human Machine Unit | Lesson 4 of 4
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
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TRY THIS OUT! Look below for tips. Then go to the next slide.

Hole in Hand demonstration

  • Keep both eyes open — with one eye looking through the tube and the other eye looking at your hand.
  • Keep your hand right against the tube.
  • Try different distances between your hand and your eye.
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DISCUSS:

Why did it look like there was a hole in your hand? Any ideas?

Hint...

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QUICK EXPERIMENT (PART 1 of 4)
Teacher: choose a volunteer to quickly read these words out loud to the class.

Stroop Effect Test

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QUICK EXPERIMENT (PART 2 of 4)
Teacher: have the same volunteer say the COLOR of each word out loud. What do you notice?

Stroop Effect Test

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QUICK EXPERIMENT (PART 3 of 4)
Now everyone try! Get into partners. Listen as your partner reads the words out loud. Then switch jobs.

Stroop Effect Test

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QUICK EXPERIMENT (PART 4 of 4)
Now listen as your partner says the COLOR of each word. Make sure they get them all right! Then switch jobs.

Stroop Effect Test

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DISCUSS:

Which task was harder--reading the words, or saying the colors?


Why do you think that one was so hard to do?

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brain


1 of 10

a part of the body that receives, processes, and responds to signals from nerves
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nerves


2 of 10

the parts of the body that carry signals from one part of the body to another part
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sensory nerves


3 of 10

the parts of the body that carry signals from the senses (eyes, ears, mouth) to the brain
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muscle


4 of 10

a part of the body that attaches to bones and allows the body to move
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motor nerves


5 of 10

the parts of the body that carry signals from the brain to muscles
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nervous system


6 of 10

the brain and all the nerves in the body
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system


7 of 10

a group of things that affect each other and function as a whole
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dissect


8 of 10

to take something apart to study it
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illusion


9 of 10

something that tricks or confuses your brain
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experiment


10 of 10

a test used to discover new information about a question
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Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Grade 4

Human Body, Vision, & The Brain

Brain, Nerves, & Information Processing

4-LS1-2

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students explore the brain’s role in receiving information from the senses, processing that information, and controlling the muscles to enable movement. In the activity, Think Fast!, students test their reflexes with two very quick experiments and one more involved activity. They learn about how we process information in our brains and then respond to that information in different ways.
Preview activity
Number of students:

I have a Mystery Pack

Think Fast! worksheet 30 copies
Blank Paper (8.5 x 11")
30 sheets
Rulers
15 rulers
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students will need a partner for the activities.

Each pair of students will need a table or desk.

Exploration

27 mins

Hands-On Activity

20 mins

Wrap-Up

3 mins

Grade 4

Human Body, Vision, & The Brain

Brain, Nerves, & Information Processing

4-LS1-2

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Credits